North Sri Lanka Wildlife, Tamil heritage & ancient sacred sites

Meet a representative at Bandaranaike International Airport and transfer to the Wilpattu National Park area, a drive of around four hours. Leave the afternoon free to rest before the following day’s safaris.

• Arrival and airport welcome
• Transfer to Wilpattu · about four hours
• Afternoon at leisure

Head into Wilpattu National Park in the morning with expert naturalists. Explore its natural lakes and look for leopard, sloth bear, elephant, spotted deer, water buffalo and birdlife. After a midday break, set out on a second guided safari from late afternoon into the evening.

• Morning guided safari through Wilpattu
• Villus, birdlife and wildlife-spotting opportunities
• Late-afternoon guided safari

Travel from Wilpattu to Mannar, stopping at Madhu Church, a significant Catholic shrine and symbol of interfaith unity. Continue to Pesalai Beach for an afternoon beside the Indian Ocean.

• Journey north from Wilpattu to Mannar
• Visit Madhu Church
• Afternoon at Pesalai Beach

Continue from Mannar to Jaffna, the heart of Tamil culture in northern Sri Lanka. Spend the afternoon birdwatching at Vankalai Sanctuary and visit Jaffna Fort at sunset.

• Travel to Jaffna
• Birdwatching at Vankalai Sanctuary
• Sunset visit to Jaffna Fort

Explore Jaffna Market with a host and select ingredients for a traditional Jaffna lunch prepared together with a local cook. Visit Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil and its intricate Hindu temple architecture; visitors should cover their shoulders and knees.

• Explore Jaffna Market
• Prepare a traditional Jaffna lunch with a local cook
• Visit Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil

Travel to Kurikadduvan Jetty and board a local private ferry to Delft Island for home-cooked Jaffna cuisine and a chance to see its wild ponies. Continue to Nainativu, also known as Nagadeepa, a sacred place in Buddhist and Hindu traditions. Return to the jetty and visit the historic Fort Hammenhiel off Karainagar.

• Ferry to Delft Island and its wild ponies
• Visit sacred Nainativu / Nagadeepa
• Explore Fort Hammenhiel

Visit Kadurugoda Temple, also known as Kandarodai Temple, one of the region’s surviving Buddhist sites. Explore Jaffna University and the public library, or choose time at Casuarina Beach.

• Kadurugoda / Kandarodai Temple
• Jaffna University and Public Library
• Alternatively, spend time at Casuarina Beach

Leave Jaffna for Thirappane. Optional stops at Keerimalai Temple and Point Pedro are possible, or choose a train journey from Jaffna to Anuradhapura instead, subject to ticket availability. An evening rice-paddy dining experience rounds out the day.

• Travel south toward Thirappane
• Optional Keerimalai Temple and Point Pedro
• Optional Jaffna–Anuradhapura train · subject to availability

Stop at Avukana to see its rock-carved Buddha statue, then explore Yapahuwa, a medieval capital atop a boulder with an intricately carved staircase and temple paintings. Climb Pidurangala Rock for sunset views.

• Avukana Buddha statue
• Yapahuwa’s rock fortress and staircase
• Sunset climb at Pidurangala Rock

Set out early for a scenic drive to Nachchaduwa Lake and a picnic breakfast. After a relaxed morning, explore Anuradhapura’s ancient sacred city in the afternoon, including Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, and see local pilgrims gathering for evening prayers.

• Scenic drive and picnic at Nachchaduwa Lake
• Anuradhapura’s sacred city
• Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi and evening prayers

After breakfast, transfer from Thirappane to the airport for your onward flight, bringing the North Sri Lanka journey to a close.

• Transfer to the airport
• Departure from Sri Lanka